Guyana, Suriname & French Guiana: South America's Forgotten Corner

Almost nobody visits the Three Guianas. Wedged between the Caribbean and the Amazon, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are unlike anywhere else in South America. English, Dutch and French spoken side by side. Colonial capitals next to dense rainforest. Remote Maroon villages thriving along jungle rivers, and one of the world's greatest waterfalls crashing into pristine wilderness far from any tourist trail.

Ten days, three countries, two overland border crossings, and a night deep in the Amazon. This is a proper expedition, not a luxury holiday, and that's exactly the point.

Highlights

💦 Kaieteur Falls – Fly deep into the Guyanese rainforest to one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls on Earth, nearly five times the height of Niagara, with barely another soul around

🤝 Community Project – Visiting our community project in Guyana and seeing exactly where the money goes

🌇 Georgetown – Colonial streets, buzzing markets and a sunset cruise on the Demerara River

🏘 Paramaribo – South America's only Dutch-speaking capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a mosque and synagogue stand side by side

🛶 Jaw Jaw Village – A longboat journey up the Upper Suriname River to sleep in a remote Saamaka village in the rainforest

🏝 Devil's Island – Boat out to the infamous penal colony of Papillon fame, now a hauntingly beautiful island escape

🇫🇷 Cayenne – Finishing in French Guiana, where fresh baguettes and French cafes meet tropical South America

🛂 Two Overland Border Crossings – River ferries and jungle roads between three countries, the way the Guianas should be travelled

Trip Facts

• Tour Date: September 18 - 27, 2027

• Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

• Arrival City: Georgetown, Guyana

• Departure City: Cayenne, French Guiana

• Group Size: Max 16 travellers

• Price: $4,299 (deposit $300)

Welcome to the only English-speaking country in South America. Arrive at your leisure, settle into our hotel and meet the crew over our first group dinner and a proper introduction to Guyanese cuisine.

Tonight is easy. The adventure starts tomorrow.

🏨 Sleep: Georgetown

Giving Back, Then Exploring the Capital

We start the trip the Mudita way. This morning we visit our community project, meeting the local community and seeing exactly where our donation is making a difference.

After lunch we explore Georgetown, one of South America's most underrated capitals. Colourful colonial streets, the towering wooden St. George's Cathedral, and markets that buzz with the energy of a country unlike anywhere else on the continent.

We end the day on the water with a sunset cruise along the Demerara River, watching the city glow as dusk settles.

🏨 Sleep: Georgetown

One of the Greatest Waterfalls on Earth

This is one of the biggest highlights of the whole expedition. We board a scenic flight deep into the Guyanese rainforest, nothing but unbroken green in every direction, to reach the extraordinary Kaieteur Falls.

At 226 metres, Kaieteur is nearly five times taller than Niagara and among the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world. And here's the best bit: no crowds, no barriers, no development. Just one of the planet's great natural spectacles in near total solitude.

We explore the falls and surrounding viewpoints before flying back to Georgetown for our final night in Guyana.

🏨 Sleep: Georgetown

Country Two

Today the overland adventure begins properly. We travel east across the coastal plains to the Guyana-Suriname border, crossing the Corentyne River by ferry. This is how the Guianas should be travelled: by road and river, not by plane.

After border formalities we continue through western Suriname to Paramaribo, the country's charming capital.

🏨 Sleep: Paramaribo

The Dutch Caribbean Capital of South America

Paramaribo is unlike anywhere else on the continent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site of elegant Dutch colonial buildings, colourful wooden houses and leafy avenues, and one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, where a mosque and a synagogue stand peacefully side by side.

We explore Fort Zeelandia, Independence Square and the historic waterfront, then the evening is yours. A cold Parbo beer beside the Suriname River is the local move.

🏨 Sleep: Paramaribo

A Night with the Saamaka

This morning we leave the city behind. We drive south, then swap wheels for a traditional longboat and travel up the Upper Suriname River into the heart of the rainforest.

Our destination is Jaw Jaw, a remote Saamaka village where life continues much as it has for generations. The Saamaka are descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped into the rainforest centuries ago and built independent communities that have preserved their language and culture ever since.

We spend the afternoon exploring the village, swimming in the river and settling into one of the most peaceful corners of South America.

🏨 Sleep: Jaw Jaw jungle lodge

Wake to the sounds of the rainforest before enjoying a relaxed morning in the village.

There’ll be time to walk through the community, learn more about Saamaka culture or simply sit beside the river and soak up one of the most peaceful settings anywhere in South America.

After lunch we’ll board our boat back to Atjoni before returning by road to Paramaribo for our final evening in Suriname.

Overnight: Paramaribo

Our final international border crossing takes us into French Guiana. COUNTRY NUMBER 3!

We’ll travel east to the Maroni River before crossing into France’s overseas department, where the language, currency and atmosphere change once again.

Along the way we’ll stop in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, once the main reception point for prisoners destined for Devil’s Island, before continuing towards Kourou.

Overnight: Kourou/Cayenne

Today we visit one of the most infamous prison colonies in history.

A boat ride takes us to the Îles du Salut, where we’ll explore the remains of the penal colony made famous by Henri Charrière’s Papillon. While visitors generally land on Île Royale rather than Devil’s Island itself, you’ll enjoy spectacular views across the islands while learning about the extraordinary history of this notorious prison.

The islands are also surprisingly beautiful, with tropical forests, turquoise waters and abundant wildlife providing a stark contrast to their dark past.

We’ll return to the mainland in the afternoon.

Overnight: Cayenne

Our final morning is spent exploring Cayenne, the colourful capital of French Guiana.

We’ll stroll through its lively streets, visit the city’s main squares and markets, and enjoy one last taste of French South America before saying our goodbyes.

From here, you’ll depart from Cayenne Airport. Possibly a little hungover, and hopefully with three new countries ticked off your list and memories from one of the world’s least-visited regions that will last a lifetime.